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to read it. “Who is it from, Michele? How exciting it all is! Why, you have not been in London above a fortnight, and already you are receiving tokens.”
    Michele read the card’s message, and a frown entered her dark blue eyes.
    “Cousin, who sent it?” Lydia demanded impatiently.
    “The flowers are from Sir Lionel Corbett. He sends the posy as a token of his everlasting admiration,” Michele said slowly. She was not at all certain that she liked the wording of the message. But surely Sir Lionel, having once been assured of her friendship, if not her heart’s regard, would be more circumspect than to set up a flirtation with her.
    “A vastly pretty sentiment,” Lady Basinberry said approvingly. “The invitations to our little ball have already gone out, but I think that I shall have one sent around to Sir Lionel as well. One cannot have too many gentlemen languishing about one’s feet. With each gentleman, one’s credit is that much more enhanced.”
    Lydia giggled. “How very outrageous you are, Aunt Beatrice. Do you not agree, Michele?”
    Michele set aside her perturbation over Sir Lionel’s communication and joined in the general air of gaiety. “Indeed! If Lady Basinberry has her way, we shall find ourselves up to our necks in admirers and unable to choose from among scores of offers.”
    “I did not give you credit for so romantic an imagination, Michele. You have quite raised my hopes for you,” Lady Basinberry said. “I must do my utmost in securing these vast numbers of admirers, if for no other reason than to witness the resulting circus.”
    “I protest, ma’am. I am not in the least romantic, but I shall plead claustrophobia,” retorted Michele.
    Lady Basinberry laughed. She eyed her niece with more warmth than she had before. The girl was really quite witty when she put herself to it, she thought. It was an attribute that would shine to advantage during the Season. With her thoughts once more brought to consideration of the social round soon to begin, Lady Basinberry reaffirmed her former declaration that her nieces must be properly outfitted for the Season.
    Soon after breakfast the three ladies set forth in Lady Basinberry’s landau, London’s innumerable shops as their destination.
    Several merchants were visited, including a bootier, two milliners, a glover, and a modiste. Lydia was measured for the boots that she had desired. Soft slippers and walking shoes were also ordered. Michele purchased for herself an extravagant chip-straw bonnet that won envious accolades from Lydia and a noncommittal shake of the head from Lady Basinberry. Six pairs of soft kid gloves were purchased, as well as several chemises and camisoles and a dozen pairs each of silk stockings for Lydia and Michele. Lady Basinberry found a parasol and decided that a bunch of small black egret feathers would do marvels for one of her turbans. An evening reticule of knotted silver thread, half a dozen dainty lace handkerchiefs, and several lengths of satin and velvet ribbons for trimming a bonnet and a gown were pronounced absolutely necessary by Lydia.
    The hours sped by and it was not until the morning was flown that Lady Basinberry pronounced herself satisfied with the results of the outing and ordered the landau directed toward home. The packages were so numerous and unwieldy that two footmen were required to unload the landau and carry the packages upstairs.
    The lengthy shopping expedition had exhausted Lady Basinberry’s reserves of energy. She indicated to the butler that she would take tea in her rooms so that she could recuperate in private.
    Mr. Davenport was out at his club, as was his usual custom in the middle of the day, and so Michele and Lydia were left to their own devices. After they had consumed their tea and biscuits, Michele acquiesced to Lydia’s suggestion that they go upstairs and look over their purchases.
    The young ladies were inspecting their new acquisitions with a great deal of merriment